Following improvements in the Red Sea security situation, the Suez Canal Authority is intensifying its efforts to attract large container ships back to this strategic waterway.
The Authority’s Chairman, Admiral Ossama Rabiee, personally boarded a ship to demonstrate that the canal is ready for large-scale operations.
Chairman Rabie recently boarded a ship named “CMA CGM JULES VERNE”, which is 396 meters long with a gross tonnage of 176,000 tons, while it was traveling north from Singapore to Lebanon. This voyage marked the ship’s first northbound passage through the Suez Canal after transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait, serving as a significant milestone for the canal’s resumed operations since the Houthi maritime crisis began in November 2023.
During the visit, Chairman Rabie welcomed the crew and inquired about their experience navigating the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. He was received by Tariq Zaghloul, CEO of CMA CGM Egypt and Sudan Cluster, and Amr El-Shafei, the Group Operations Manager. Chairman Rabie also observed the inaugural canal transit of the “CMA CGM HELIUM”, a ship measuring 335 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 130,000 tons. He stated: “The restoration of calm in the Red Sea region once again presents a new reality for the shipping community; namely, that shipping companies must seriously consider revising their sailing plans to transit the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Suez Canal again.”
Earlier this month, the Authority announced plans to enhance meetings with major shipping companies to discuss strategies, such as trial voyages, partial resumption, or phased full resumption, to facilitate the prompt return of container ships.
Chairman Rabie praised CMA CGM’s commitment to maintaining canal operations despite security challenges and highlighted the French shipping company’s move to transit two mega-container ships through the canal following the success of the Sharm El-Sheikh summit.
Captain Slavko Malasic of the “CMA CGM JULES VERNE” stated: “Our vessel encountered no challenges while transiting the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab region.” He also commended the canal’s development projects, particularly the southern development project, which has enhanced navigation safety and reduced waiting and transit times.
The canal side released encouraging recovery data. In October 2025, the number of ships returning to the canal reached the highest monthly level since the crisis began, with 229 ships returning in that month alone.
Traffic data from July to October 2025 shows a total of 4,405 vessels transited the canal, with a total net tonnage of 185 million tons.
This recovery emerged after the Houthis announced a suspension of maritime operations in the Red Sea, although maritime security experts warn that risks should be considered suppressed, not eliminated.
Since the Houthi attacks began following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, over 100 commercial ships passing through the Red Sea have been targeted, with 4 sunk, 1 seized, and at least 8 seafarers killed. Ship transits decreased by approximately 60% due to services being rerouted via the Cape of Good Hope.
However, significant obstacles remain. According to industry representatives, high marine insurance premiums remain a primary reason for the delay in many major shipping companies resuming Suez Canal operations.
Among the major shipping companies returning to this route, CMA CGM is leading the way. Tariq Zaghloul emphasized the strategic relationship between the French shipping company and the canal, stating: “The Suez Canal is irreplaceable.”
Looking ahead, the Authority is actively seeking to attract other types of vessels besides container ships. Representatives from multiple agencies have called for targeted incentives for tankers, bulk carriers, and LNG carriers, as these vessels require shorter times to adjust their sailing schedules.
Concluding a recent meeting, Chairman Rabie invited all shipping companies to conduct trial voyages with their container ships, indicating the Authority’s confidence in the Red Sea security situation.
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